A 31-year-old truck driver, Draterrius McCollough of Alabama, has admitted to stealing more than 200 devices—including numerous iPhones and 27 iPads—from shipments tied to a major American retailer. In total, the stolen goods are valued at about $30,000. McCollough formally pleaded guilty to federal theft charges.
Details of the Theft Ring
McCollough worked for a transport company, ferrying packages from a retailer’s warehouse to stores across Louisiana. The company’s fraud detection team first noticed that large quantities of merchandise were disappearing in January, and their investigation identified McCollough as the source. When authorities executed a search warrant at his Baton Rouge residence, they recovered a haul including iPhones, iPads, and other items connected to the missing shipments. Just days before the raid, he’d allegedly stolen a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max.
By the time of his arrest in February, local news sources named the retailer as Walmart and McCollough’s employer as FedEx. Since the stolen shipments crossed state lines, the case earned federal jurisdiction.
Wider Pattern of Apple-Device Crimes
This case joins a growing number of incidents involving thefts of Apple products in transit, in retail settings, and even via scams. From devices being stolen during major sporting events and by people stuffing iPads into their clothing, to misuse of gift cards and impersonation attempts, Apple gear continues to be a target. Some thieves are using tracking tools like AirTags to both commit offenses and for victims, to help with recovery.
In one notable example, an AirTag hidden in a loose stone helped identify stolen historic building materials in the U.K. Another saw a stolen toolbox lead back to its owner thanks to a tracker planted inside it. The trend reflects a broadening landscape of crime that leverages technology both for mischief and remedy.
What this case illustrates is how logistic vulnerabilities—including opaque handoffs, insufficient monitoring, and multiple parties in the supply chain—can allow theft on a relatively large scale to go unnoticed for months. Strengthening internal oversight, employing tracking solutions, and rapid audits in response to suspected losses are all steps companies can take to reduce losses. For consumers, this underscores the importance of verifying device legitimacy and keeping packaging or delivery proof intact.
